DAY two of The Christmas Meeting features a typically competitive renewal of the Nyetimber December Gold Cup Handicap Chase with regulars at the home of jump racing like Il Ridoto, Ga Law, Fugitif and In Excelsis Deo in the field.
Earlier on the Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase is a cracker with Peaky Boy, currently heading the market for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson, with strong opposition from my selection Transmission, as well as Haiti Couleurs and Hillcrest, who it is great to see back racing this season.
Enjoy whether at Cheltenham or watching #athome on ITV Racing and Racing TV.
Cheers!
The Wine Tipster
12.40 Cheltenham – Josh Wyke Birthday Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (3m 1½f)
Transmission has showed in his two appearances over fences that he is operating at a higher level than during his pretty good hurdling career. He was admittedly, when showing plenty of promise on chasing debut, a well beaten second to the very smart Hyland, trained by Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson, who franked the form at the November meeting. Transmission showed his progression too at the same meeting when under a cool ride in the amateurs’ handicap chase, he looked the winner from someway out and when taking the lead after the last he moved smoothly up the hill to win by 1½ lengths from Java Point. This is admittedly a different proposition in what is a cracking renewal, though Transmission has not only taken to fences, he has also taken to Cheltenham too.
1.13 Cheltenham – Quintessentially Mares’ Handicap Chase (2m ½f)
Regal Renaissance will benefit from the expected strong pace here as the case withthis scenario at Warwick last time out when the pace collapsed late and she came through to win going away, having jumped better than had been the case on her other two chase starts this year. She looks to be getting the hang of things and whilst she needs to improve again, that’s far from impossible.
1.50 Cheltenham – Nyetimber December Gold Cup Handicap Chase (2m 4½f)
Grandeur D’Ame was tipped up for last year’s renewal when finishing fourth behind Cheltenham regulars Fugitif and ll Ridito after never making an impact in the race.
This time the outcome could be very different as Grandeur D’Ame comes to the race fresh this time after a nine-week break, when beating Ga Law by two lengths at Chepstow in October with Il Ridoto back in fourth, though of course he won at the November meeting.
Grandeur D’Ame’s trainer has made it clear that this has been the target after his October victory, which is different to last season when he had only had a four week break after beating Cornerstone Lad at Wetherby. This eight-year-old is ready to move up to the level required to take the feature race.
Unibet are paying MONEY BACK if 2nd or 3rd in this race!
Gemirande started his campaign in emphatic fashion at Ascot last month when making all and with a bold leap at the last then stormed clear to beat Nocte Volatus by seven and half lengths. Last season’s form figures of 550 don’t tell the full story as his fifth (marked up in my Unibet blog at 40/1) behind Unexpected Party in the Jonny Henderson Grand Annual when headed at the third last was a good run and strongly hinted at a return to form. Gemirande with a full campaign in the 2022/23 season showed all the ability was there as evident from these figures of 212123. He has to be in the mix after his Ascot success, has proven he has run well at Cheltenham and the yard are in terrific form.
3.00 Cheltenham – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Grade 2 (3m)
Western Knight (nap) beat the 135-rated Excello and 132-rated Kloth Of Utopia when successful at Ascot last time, and that whilst still looking far from the finished article. He’d looked clueless when winning at Uttoxeter the time before as well, and another big chunk of improvement might well come now he steps up to three miles today.
Unibet are SUPER BOOSTING the price of every runner in the race!
3.35 Cheltenham – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (2m 4½f)
Masked Dance has plenty of ground to make up after finishing third to Georgi Girl, who reopposes here, though Masked Dance looked very much in need of the run on her first start after six months off.
Masked Dance won her penultimate start at Aintree, as well as running consistently last season, including one victory and two seconds. She has each way claims here.
The Wine Tipster’s Treble
An exhilarating day of racing awaits, with Day Two of The Christmas Meeting taking centre stage!
Roll these three picks from our red-hot tipster into a treble and the drinks really may well be on you! Transmission, Regal Renaissance, and Grandeur D’ame. Add to your betslip, hit the ACCA BOOST option and a £5 each way treble potentially returns over £2,800 if they come in! Of course, it’s a long shot, but stranger things have happened!
Please remember to gamble responsibly. Visit our Safer Gambling section for more information, help and advice.
